Charming opposites attract, friends to lovers romance

When Luke separated from the Marines, he brought his two best friends home with him to help run his family ranch in the mountains of Northern California. After a harrowing winter, Luke is still coming to terms with all the trauma he's endured, both in the military and since.

Bernie has always had a crush on her best friend, Luke, and now that he's back she can tell that something's wrong. She knows he has a lot to sort through, but there's only so much she can do to help, especially since she's kept busy with her bakery and online business as well as running the local humane society non-profit out of her barn. When Luke asks her to help him get another woman's attentions, she realizes it's past time for her to turn her own attentions elsewhere.

I didn't love this book as much as the first one, mainly because I was exasperated with Luke most of the time. He comes across as less mature than he did in the earlier book, and his path to redemption was not nearly as complete as it should have been. Still, Bernie is a delightful character, strong and determined in her own way, and I loved how she was able to find balance in her life without having to give up any of her pursuits. I also appreciated how she was not at all shy about calling Luke out on his stuff and not letting his excuses go unchallenged.

I loved the realistic relationship between Luke, Noah, and Max, even with its endless complications. Emotional intimacy is the absolute hardest thing, especially for men, and I really love the way it was addressed here. I adored the friendship between Jen and Bernie, and was happy to see Sally in a larger role.

The HEA was a bit of a let-down because while Luke did address a big issue, it wasn't the one that Bernie kept insisting he address throughout the book, which left me feeling a bit like there's still more work to do before their HEA is solid. But, since there will be at least one more book, I'm hoping we'll see more progress for Luke and Bernie in the future. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The sweet cowboy love story brings us a story about Luke and Bernie's long-time BFF realizing that they are meant for each other. It is an ok story for me was just that it was more concentrated on everything; ranch, puppy auction, Bernie's work plan; everything else but their relationship.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

Bernie (awful masculine name to go with a cute redhead) has loved Luke since she was in kindergarten. Imagine her surprise all these years later when Luke comes into her pastry shop and asks her help in catching Bailey’s attention. What’s a woman to do? Find herself a different man, of course.

Following the trope, that doesn’t work, so Bernie (shudder) and Luke decide to give it a whirl.

This story touches on PTSD (Luke’s) and I think hints that his brother also suffers from it. I sometimes had a hard time deciding if the brother also had PTSD or was suffering from something else. Luke’s atypical crush on Bailey is blamed without explanation on his odd behavior, but I don’t understand the correlation.

Any further details will fall into the category of SPOILERS, and we don’t want that. Let me just say that I enjoyed the book even as I became exasperated with the on again off again nature on Luke and Bernie’s romance. Bernie’s career ending was not believable and we have no resolution for Luke’s career ending. I give this 4 stars in spite of that because of the many positives found within the book.

A cute and funny story. I liked the characters, both main and supporting. The only complaint I have with this book ( and I think the first in the series did it as well), is that our characters seemed to change their mind quickly and some of the discussion and arguements come out of the blue, without much lead up or setting of the stage for them. Overall, and enjoyable story and I look forward to the next one in the series. *I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Three Cowboys and a Puppy is part of a series about three Marine veterans, Noah, Luke and Max, that are living together and trying to keep Luke's family ranch running. While Noah has found his HEA with Jen and her son Sky, Max and Luke are still struggling with the after effects of being in the military. Bernie and Luke are the main characters in Three Cowboys and a Puppy. they are life long friends who decide to explore their romantic feelings for each other. This story comes with the typical hurdles and miscommunications but love wins out. Great story, fun characters, looking forward to the next in the series.

When Luke's friend's sister comes to visit to mend a broken heart, he sees the potential for love. He asks best friend Bernie to help him get her to notice him. Can Bernie help him become the man he thinks Bailey would want? Problem is that Bernie thinks Luke is perfect just the way he is and wouldn't want him to change at all. When Bailey leaves to go back to the city, will Luke look at her differently or will he still see her as just his best friend?

Kate Pearce brings us back to Luke, Max, and Noah. The second in the Three Cowboys series, we get Luke's story. We also get to visit with Noah, Jen, and Sky. It is like visiting with old friends and catching up with them. I look forward to seeing what comes next in this series and visiting with everyone again.

I voluntarily read and received an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for this privilege.

this was the second book in the cowboys trilogy. The first one was three Cowboys and a baby. . i loved this book. Its the second one I have read by Kate Pearce. It was funny heartfelt and romantic. I am grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review

This is book 2 of a series about 3 cowboys and how they find the one to settle down with. But in true cowboy style, this road to happiness is pathed with drama, mistakes and just plain cowboy stupidity. I could not put this one down it had me from the start. A sexy cowboy a sweet country girl trying to hide her true feeling towards her best friend.

Luke is a bit of a damaged man after his return from Afghanistan and throw in a ranch to run successfully and you have a Luke Nilsen. His best friend's city-slicker sister is staying on the ranch and Luke thinks he might like to get to know her a lot better. When you need advice about a woman where do you go? Your best friend and this is the first mistake Luke took................

Bernie Cooper is a very busy lady running her own businesses and an animal shelter within her small town, Bernie burns her candle at both ends very often. Her BFF is Luke but she has been keeping a secret from him for a very long time, it is time to forget and look forward to a life without her unrequited love Luke in it, as their friendship is too important to risk for anything even love.

This is the only book I have read by this author and I must say I really loved her writing style.

THREE COWBOYS AND A PUPPY is a delightful and insightful story whose substance is belied by its title. That old expression of not to judge a book by its cover fits here. I didn’t choose THREE COWBOYS AND A PUPPY because of its title, I chose it because of its author Kate Pearce. Having read several of her stories I readily chose this new one to read and review. So glad I did.
Priorities. Life is filled with priorities. Most people try to delegate responsibilities when possible. That is not the case with Bernadette or Bernie as her friends call her. Bernie is on hyperdrive. She works diligently to divide her time and resources among many responsibilities. Some work related. Others more personal. Not that Bernie has a personal life. She seems to squeeze in her friends and family. But as for her businesses they come first.
Best friend Luke has been a fixture in Bernie’s life since they were youngsters. Then Luke left for the military. The Luke returned is definitely not the same person. Bernie sees this, Luke tries to hide it. The more Bernie pushes for Luke to open up, the tighter the reins become. For Bernie, her relationship with Luke has become one of convenience. Luke knows Bernie will always be there for them, but he is totally clueless for how Bernie’s feelings for him have evolved. And that is the big problem.
Friends of Bernie know that she is in love with Luke. They also know it is mutual. But and it is a big but, Luke is so tightly wound that the best he can do is spend times with his best friend and avoid the issue of a lifetime commitment and of course the love word.
So in THREE COWBOYS AND A PUPPY we are introduced to a dilemma. Stay the course or break ties. Neither is going to bring any personal satisfaction or happiness to Bernie. Her businesses are demanding so much of her time. The first item on her list should be managing that time better. She gets help with that from a surprising source. Life is beginning to change for Bernie. Not so for Luke.
So the critical issue is just how are these folk getting to wake up Luke to the possibility that if he does not make significant changes in his life, he just may lose the most important person. Sounds easy. Totally is not. And that is what Kate Pearce constructs in this lovely story that certainly packs a punch. The supporting cast plays a vital role and often steals the scene.

Kate Pearce does a great job with cowboy romance in Three Cowboys and a Puppy. This is a quick, sweet read. The boy next door, Luke, who runs his mother's ranch eventually, after a few sidesteps, realizes he loves the girl next door. Bernie, who lives on her mom's and stepfather's ranch has been best friends with Luke since they were young children. She has been waiting and pining for Luke to realize that she is the girl for him. When he does finally come to his senses, she has a few complications of her own to resolve. Pearce gives us many interesting characters and through them an awareness of the problems of soldiers returning from combat. She also touches on the difficulties of running a ranch or living in a small town and gives us a view into a blended family and reconnecting with an absent birth parent. There is plenty here to give the reader things to think about while enjoying the romance. And who can resist puppies? This would be an excellent beach read.

I love a story set in a small town community that has friendship and romance. Throw in a cowboy or two and I’m hooked! This story centres around best friends Bernie and Luke. Bernie has always liked Luke as more than just a friend but sadly he doesn’t seem to see her that way. Eventually, with help from others, he realises and their relationship takes a different direction, but can they move from friends to lovers? All the characters were likeable and so supportive of each other. Also there wasn’t any nastiness, just a lovely, at times steamy! story.Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC

this is a friends to lovers romance. cute story, good characters, and a sweet dog.i read this in one afternoon.

Three cowboys and a puppy by Kate Pearce. I couldn’t keep track in this book. I just didn’t know what was going on or who anyone was

A good friends to lovers story. Not sure why, but did tend to drag a bit at times for me. Might be my age of 50+ as the angst of the youngsters seems not as interesting to me. However, do like this author and the story is fine. Would recommend.